Section: Custom MINIs

MINI has partnered with luggage maker TUMI to produce a pair of custom Clubmen that not only feature bespoke TUMI luggage, but TUMI textiles throughout the interiors. The project is called “MINI Goes TUMI” and was debuted in Beijing by TUMI CEO Jerome Griffith. It begins with two cars, a MINI One Clubman, and a MINI Cooper S Clubman. More info and photos after the break. continued →

German car tuning house AC Schnitzer has built a super MINI based on the R56 JCW. Setting a lap time at Hockenheim Circuit of 1:13.341 minutes, the “Eagle” can turn the course faster than the BMW M3, Ferrari California, Mercedes-Benz CLK 63 AMG Black Series and the Porsche 911 Turbo and Carrera S models. It’s little wonder with power at 256hp, and weight is down to just 2,312 lbs. Thanks to a fully re-engineered exhaust system and tweaks to the engine management system, the 1.6L MINI Turbo engine is belting out well over 50hp more than the stock JCW. Custom suspension and 18″ wheels round out the performance package and aggressive styling of the car. Where the Eagle concept for sale, it’d cost you a spendy $88,667, but alas, it is not. Video, more photos and the full press release after the break. continued →

Bulgarian car customizers Vilner are taking a page out of the book of Rolls Royce, creating a bespoke MINI Cooper S of their own. Dubbed “The Italian Job”, the car features plush brown Nappa leather and matching Alcantara throughout the interior tied together in a diamond quilt pattern. The exterior of the car features a matte gray wrap and contrasting matte black roof and bonnet stripes. Custom 18″ wheels keep everything moving. It’s arguably as lavish as the MINI by Goodwood, but this one-off won’t find its way into a MINI dealer near you any time soon. Full gallery after the break. continued →

Aftermarket MINI accessory makers Cravenspeed have taken on a rather ambitions MINI mod: a fully electric R53. Now they fully admit that MINI and others did actually beat them to this feat, but they’re taking it a step further. Cravenspeed plan to have their fully electric R53 wheels down in just about a month. Even more ambitions than their prototype timeline are their plans to offer the setup as a kit. Featuring a 245ft/lb electric motor, the Cravenspeed MINI EV should go like crazy. Estimated range is 60-100 miles, and their approach should make a fully electric MINI a rather fun and accessible option for the ambitious R53 owner. Follow along with their progress over at their project blog. Thanks for sending this in, fellas, and best of luck!

Every year MINI hands off a car to a series of designers to create a special one-off car to be presented for auction. This year it’s design team DSQUAREDÂ² and the car is a raised off-road version of the MINI Cooper S hatch. And yes the sketch above shows an R53. However we expect the car to be a R56.

Official Release: Dean and Dan Caten, better known as the designer duo DSQUAREDÂ², yesterday presented the initial sketches of the MINI they have designed exclusively for the 2011 Life Ball. Three weeks before the grand unveiling of this one-off model on 21 May, the Canadian twins are granting a first preview of what this absolute MINI must-have for men will look like. Since 2001, a MINI created by world-renowned designers has been a pivotal element of the Life Ball. This year, carmaker MINI is supporting Europeâ€™s biggest AIDS charity event for the 11th time. Each year a legendary one-off MINI is produced for the Life Ball, the proceeds of which go to projects combating HIV/AIDS. continued →

Some people like to describe their tuned Cooper S as “fire breathing”, but BMP Design of Tyler, Texas wins the brag with the MINI Jet. The 420 hp, 400 ft-lb of torque, RWD monster is literally powered by a Rolls Royce-Allison helicopter engine (the 250-C20B to be exact). Complete with helicopter style lever throttle between the seats, it’s unclear if the MINI Jet retains its original engine up front as well. If it does, that would make this the most seriously badass hybrid to date. More video after the break. continued →

As many of you know, MINI made a sizable marketing investment in the Super Bowl this year â€” running an ad as well as giving away tickets to “the big game.” MINI also threw a Bootparty to celebrate and it included some game day themed MINIs that we’re told we’ll see round the country at similar events in the future. Looks like good times.

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